UCLA at risk of WCWS elimination as their recovery falls short in defeat against Texas Tech
Women's College World Series: UCLA's Tough Loss to Texas Tech
Oklahoma City - After a thrilling walk-off victory against Oregon in the early hours of Friday, UCLA had a golden opportunity to take revenge on their early elimination from the previous Women's College World Series against Texas Tech. However, the Red Raiders had other plans.
NiJaree Canady, the tough-as-nails pitcher with a powerful arm, once a Stanford ace and a previous two-time semifinalist, pitched a four-hitter with seven strikeouts and two walks. She guided Texas Tech to a hard-fought 3-1 win and a spot in the Monday semifinals.
The Bruins, who missed out on several opportunities, left five runners stranded, three in the second inning, and two in the seventh. They also fell victim to a surprise stolen home.
Alexis Ramirez and Rylee Slimp started the seventh inning with back-to-back singles, giving UCLA some hope against Canady. Kaniya Bragg popped out to second, Sofia Mujica struck out, and Slimp was tagged out, ending the game.
Coach Kelly Inouye-Perez acknowledged, "Hard-fought battle, and they played their game. I prepared our girls... However, I didn't prepare them for the stolen home. With that, gutsy. It worked."
UCLA (55-12) now face a tough challenge if they are to challenge for a 13th national title. They play Tennessee on Sunday at noon (PDT), and a win is crucial to extend their season.
Taylor Tinsley pitched a four-hitter with one walk and two strikeouts for UCLA, who scored on a solo home run by Bragg in the fifth to tie it.
Reflecting on the game, Bragg shared, "Honestly, an honor just to be a part of this team... just having the confidence in myself and knowing that somebody else is going to have my back... gives me the confidence to like be able to know that I can do it."
Texas Tech (52-12) need just one more win to reach the championship series. They will face the winner of Oklahoma or Oregon, who play on Sunday.
Canady's pitching performance was brilliant, especially in a World Series strike zone. She also entered the transfer portal and secured a $1 million NIL deal to join Texas Tech, making history as the first million-dollar athlete in college softball.
The Red Raiders' success can be attributed in part to their star pitcher. Canady sailed through the first inning but struggled in the second against UCLA. Megan Grant walked, Slimp bunted for a single, and Bragg walked to load the bases with one out. Canady responded by striking out Taylor Stephens and getting Kaitlyn Terry to ground into a force play at home to end the threat.
Texas Tech's Lauren Allred singled to lead off the fifth for their first hit before Canady helped herself with a double down the right field line. The next hitter, Demi Elder, grounded to first, and Allred was tagged out trying to score. Pinch runner Makayla Garcia then stole home to give the Red Raiders a 1-0 lead.
The advantage was short-lived as Bragg homered to right field off Canady in UCLA's half of the inning to even the score. However, Texas Tech answered with a solo homer by Hailey Toney to retake the lead, and then added some insurance in the seventh with an RBI single by Raegan Jennings to make it 3-1.
The upcoming match against Tennessee will be crucial for UCLA's hopes of reaching the finals. Their power duo, Jordan Woolery and Megan Grant, will be key to their success. Coach Inouye-Perez is confident, "I let them be them... I let them enjoy this... I let them play their game."
UCLA will face a tough challenge in their bid for a 13th national title, as they play Tennessee on Sunday at noon (PDT). Despite a tough-fought game against Texas Tech, UCLA's power duo, Jordan Woolery and Megan Grant, will be key to their success in the upcoming match.
